distraer
/distɾaˈeɾ/
The English verb 'distract' is translated into Spanish as distraer.
The verb distraer means to divert the attention of. You can also use the phrase Desviar la atención as a formal way to say 'divert attention'.
Meaning: To divert the attention of (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using distraer in the first-person singular present indicative, it is an irregular verb where the 'e' changes to 'ie', resulting in distraigo (I distract). If you want to express the reflexive action of getting distracted, use the pronominal form distraerse. Additionally, the past participle distraído is commonly used as an adjective to describe a person who is distracted.
How do you pronounce it?
/distɾaˈeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid treating distraer as a regular -er verb in the first person. Instead of a regular conjugation, use the irregular form distraigo.
Did you know?
- While distraer means to divert attention, the reflexive distraerse is frequently used to mean 'to entertain oneself' or 'to have a hobby' in several Spanish-speaking regions.
- The Spanish verb distraer shares a direct ancestor with the English 'distract', both coming from the Latin 'distrahere' meaning 'to pull apart'.
- Spanish speakers may use estar distraído to mean they are daydreaming, regardless of whether an external force is actually distracting them.
Examples in context
- Nada nos va a distraer.Nothing will distract us.Tatoeba #9710591 by JSKabylie, translation #4495373 by CK
- Nada nos puede distraer.Nothing can distract us.Tatoeba #9710606 by JSKabylie, translation #10025320 by espamatics
- ¿Estás tratando de distraerme?Are you trying to distract me?Tatoeba #1517610 by marcelostockle, translation #1517275 by CM
- desvío la atenciónI divert attention
- desvía la atenciónYou divert attention
- Yo distraigo a mi hermanaI distract my sister
- Me distraigoI distract myself
- Él intentaba desviar la atención del problema a través de chistes.He was trying to distract attention from the issue through jokes.
- No me distraigas con tus juguetes mientras trato de trabajar.Don't distract me with your toys while I'm trying to work.
- Me distraigo fácilmente cuando hay mucho ruido a mi alrededor.I get easily distracted when there's a lot of noise around me.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is trying to study while Lucía is talking to him.
- JavierLucía, por favor, no me quieras distraer ahora.Lucía, please, don't try to distract me now.
- LucíaSolo quiero decirte que la cena está lista.I just want to tell you that dinner is ready.
- JavierCualquier cosa me puede distraer en este momento.Anything can distract me at this moment.
- LucíaEstá bien, Javier, sigo en silencio.All right, Javier, I'll stay quiet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “distract” translations and entries distraer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries distraer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
